Closed
— Closed for the season. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Pay on-site with cash, check, money order, or scan QR code via Recreation.gov mobile app.
About
Winding Stair Campground sits atop the Winding Stair Mountains within the Ouachita National Forest, positioned along the scenic Talimena Scenic Byway that winds 54 miles across the Rich and Winding Stair Mountains. The campground features 23 developed campsites with paved surfaces and gravel tent pads, each equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and lantern poles. A separate backpacker's camp located 300 feet west of the main campground offers five tent pads with basic amenities for through-hikers on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
The campground provides direct access to multiple trail systems, including the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail that extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. The Mountain-top Trail offers a one-mile and two-mile loop adjacent to the campground. Emerald Vista, located immediately adjacent to the campground, provides panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountain Range and valley below. Cool mountain temperatures during spring and fall enhance the camping experience in this well-shaded, elevated setting.
Directions
Located on Talimena Scenic Drive (Oklahoma State Highway 1), two miles west of the US Highway 259 junction. At mile post 23.7 on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, accessed by a short spur trail blazed in white.
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